Vehicle parking device and system of parking



May 1, 1956 F. E. GRAYEK VEHICLE PARKING DEVICE AND SYSTEM OF PARKING 3 Sheet-Sheei 1 Filed Aug. 11, 1954 INVENTOR Flo ydfi'. Gmyejc ATTORNEY May 1, 1956 F. E. GRAYEK 2,743,436

VEHICLE PARKING DEVICE AND SYSTEM OF PARKING Filed Aug. 11, 1954 3 Sheets-Shea?- 2 A4 T i j if IN VEN TOR FZO YJ E. Gray 010'- BY M Z3700 ATTORNEY May 1, 1956 F. E. GRAYEK VEHICLE PARKING DEVICE AND SYSTEM OF PARKING 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 11, 1954 INVENTOR FlvydE. Gaf e]:

W m ma ATTORNEY Patented May 1, 1956 VEHICLE PARKING DEVICE. AND SYSTEM F PARKING.

Floyd E. Grayelr, Scrantomfla. Application August 11, 1954, Serial No. 449,046

7 Claims. (Cl. 20-1.13)

This invention relates to an automobile parking device and more particularly to a parking system employing a number of such units for parking a relatively large number of vehicles in a building of several stories.

In the past, garages for parking automobiles ,have been made with permaneutramp' systems for driving the vehicle from one level of the building to another. In such types of parking systems, these ramps are commonly stationary, requiring a great deal of space for maneuvering the vehicle and, consequently, space which could otherwise be used for storage. Such systems thus involve many impractical aspects, particularly when they are used in urban areas where building space isat a premium and the congestion of modern trafiic indicates the great desirability of providing parking areas where practically all of the floor space is devoted to the parking of the vehicles themselves rather than to space-consuming ramps, mechancial elevators, and other equivalent devices;

My invention is directed to a simplified form of ramp which is rotatable and made in such manner that it is slanted between floors of the building and can be turned to any specified area of the floor immediately above where it is located. Thus, in any given building structure as many of these units comprising my invention as may be desired can be utilized on each floor, and appropriately spaced one from the other, so that access can be' had to all the available space on each floor, and removal of pended drawings for a more particular description of my invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of the invention illustrating its position for use between two floors of a building structure;

Figure 2 is a side elevation view, partially in section, illustrating several of the units comprising my invention appropriately spaced throughout a building structure so as to make all areas thereof accessible;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the invention as shown in Figure l;

Figure 4 is an end elevation view of the invention,

'taken from the left side thereof as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detailed view partially in section of the rotating, supporting and locking mechanism of the invention; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 66 of Figure 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, it is seen that the ramp 1 as shown in Figure 1 may be positioned between the ground and second floor 2 of any given building structure. When a plurality of units are employed, they are appropriately spaced on alternate floors, one above the other, as indicated in Figure 2 where three additional floors 4, 6 and 8 are shown. As usual in structures of this type, such floors are supported at spaced points by appropriate beams or walls 10.

the vehicles from each floor is not only expeditious but also accomplished with great ease. With the use of the device constituting this invention, the need for a proportionately large amount of space devoted to theconstruction of permanent ramps or complex lift equipment is thus dispensed with. 7

It is accordingly a primary objective of this invention to provide a parking apparatus and system whereby a large number of vehicles can be conveniently parkedfina storied building of several floors in a confined space audwithout the necessity of permanent space-consuming elevator or ramp systems.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a rotatable, slanted ramp which can be hand-manipulated and easily turned in any desired direction on a given floor so as to direct vehicles to any area on that floor for parking purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotatable ramp unit which can be used in multiples through- .out the various floors of a given building structure in order that all areas of each of such floors are readily accessible for ingress and egress of vehicles to .theadjacent floor.

A further objective of the invention istoprovide an inclined turntable ramp unit for parking purposes which can be rotated to a predetermined and desired position and conveniently locked in that position in order that during use, or during travel of vehicles thereover, it. is not subject to any appreciable movement.

With these objects and other objectives and apparent advantages in mind, reference will now be. had to the ap- The ramp itself can be fabricated in any suitable manner; however, as here shown in its preferred embodiment, the ramp is made of a number of I-beams 15 or similar elements which are crossed wiht similar I-beams 16, 17. These afford a suitable support for the ramp floor 18 which, if made of metal, can be welded or otherwise affixed to the several crossing I-beams by any suitable media.

It is seen that the ramp is of approximately, rectangular configuration, with the exception of one end which is circular in formation to match the circular configuration of the opening in the floor above. Actually, since the ramp is inclined, the upper end is more elliptical in shape, the inclination then permitting this elliptical end to fit the circular shape of such opening in a precise manner when the unit is in place between floors.

The beams or supporting members, such as 15, are attached to an inclined plate 20, the latter being positioned upon supporting flange 22 which is, of course, also inclined to the same degree as plate 20.

As herein shown and described, the inclination of the ramp is approximately 20 to the horizontal, this having been found to be the most desirable inclination for most purposes. However, it is apparent that by reason of space or other requirements this inclination can be varied in reasonable amounts.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting flange 22 is made integral with the main upright 25 here shown as being a large tube or cylinder 25 of relatively substantial size. The tubular member 25 rests within a supporting sleeve 31, the internal diameter of such sleeve being slightly greater than the diameter of tube 25, but having a reasonably close tolerance with respect to the latter so that it fits snugly but permits perfect freedom of rotary movement.

In order that the supporting tube 25 and the ramp previously described, and which is attached-thereto, can be easilyrotated by hand and locked in the desired position, an anti-friction bearing member 30 is positioned underneath this support 25. As herein shown, this antifriction bearing is of the ball bearing type and provided with the usual bearing races; however, any type of antifriction device such as roller bearings, sufficient to accomplish free rotation of the ramp, would be satisfactory.

As a support for the anti-friction bearing 30 and to aid in maintaining the same in proper position, the tube support is contoured with an extension 31 of substantially lesser diameter and sufficiently small to be centered within the bearing races of the anti-friction unit 30.

It will be noted that the sleeve 31 within which the main support member 25 rests terminates at its bottom in a flange 32, the latter being parallel to the horizontal, or right angular with respect to member 31, and resting upon a plate 34. Flange 32, plate 34 and the floor of the structure are securely retained together by any suitable media such as a series of bolts 35 which are positioned through such flange and plate and secured in an obvious manner to the said floor.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the structure thus far described is one wherein an inclined ramp of substantial size is supported in a rotatable manner so that it can be directed towards any particular area of the supporting floor and floor immediately above. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, the floor above has a circular opening 36 of such size that it is just slightly larger than the circumference which would be scribed by the upper edge 37 of the ramp when turned one complete revolution. The ramp is so designed that such upper edge 37 terminates evenly with floor 2, and it is also made with a lower edge 33 which is angular to the inclination of the ramp itself but parallel to the floor on which the entire ramp structure rests. As shown in dotted line at A in Figure l, with rotation of the ramp 180, it would take just an opposite position to permit access to the opposite side of the floor 2.

Since the ramp structure may be turned by hand and at the same time is very easily rotated because of the manner of construction hereinbefore described, I find it desirable to provide a suitable locking device to maintain it in any desired and predetermined position during actual use. Such locking mechanism is also hand-manipulated so that when the ramp is tumed to any predetermined section of flooring it can be easily locked in that position by the operator. To this end, a series of notches 40 are provided in the upper end of the sleeve 31. These are adapted to be engaged by a pin 50 supported on a suitable stem 45, the latter being arranged to be supported by, and reciprocate in, a sleeve or bushing 43. The pin 50 has an enlarged collar 52. Immediately adjacent to it, and exerting thrust against this collar, rests a helical spring 54, the'opposite side of the latter being positioned against the terminal surface of bushing 43. Such spring 54 thus has the effect of exerting a continual downward thrust against pin 50 to constantly force it into locking engagement with one of the several slots 40, above described.

A bell crank arrangement is employed to allow reciprocation of the rod with the result of either permitting the pin to be placed in locking position (as shown in Figure 5) or permitting that pin to be withdrawn from the slots 40. l t is obvious that when the pin is withdrawn from one of such siots, the ramp may be smoothly and easily rotated.

The bell crank construction involves the use of a rather short link 57 which, as shown in Figure 6, is secured against relative rotation to an additional rod 60. The latter adjacent its end, which is fastened to the link 57, is rotatably mounted in a bushing or hearing 62 which is secured by any suitable means upon one of the I-beams such as 15, shown in this figure.

At its opposite end, the rod 60 is secured in like fashion to a similar link 70. The link 70 is in turn pivoted at its opposite end to a control rod 71 of substantial length and extending along each side of the inclined ramp. As indicated in Figure 1, this control rod 71 is pivoted at its respective ends to two control levers 75, 76 and the latter, as by pivots 78 and 79, respectively, are pivoted for rotation about the usual type of pivot pin.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that locking and unlocking of the ramp can be accomplished either at its upper or lower ends. If the operator is on floor 2 (viewing Figure 1), pushing the lever 76 away from him will result in actuation of the bell crank just described in such fashion as to withdraw pin 50 from the slot 40 within which it has been resting and by means of which the ramp has been secured against rotation. Conversely, if the operator is on the lower floor or adjacent the opposite end of the ramp, a pull of lever 75 towards him will also result in like rotation of rod 60 and consequent removal of pin 50 from one of notches 40 to permit free rotation of the assembly.

I have found it necessary, particularly in view of the rotative aspect of my invention, to provide suitable side rails 80 and 82 (Figure 3) each of which, for about onc-fourth of the circumference of opening 36, extend above the uncovered portion of that opening when the ramp isin place. Viewing this same figure, it is seen that the ramp 1, as stated, is approximately rectangular in shape except that the curved edge 37 is curved somewhat elliptically so that this edge in its slanted position closely fits opening 36. Thus, there are spaces where the opening 36 is not covered. These are generally indicatedat C and D. Such spaces are surmounted by rails 80 and 82 for the protection of operating personnel. Each of these rails, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, has radial supporting rails 81 and 84 and is also supported at three spaced points by additional vertical railings such as shown at 86, 8'7 and 83 (Figure l). I have also provided triangular braces for these vertical supports, thus insuring a steady and rugged structure.

Although not described specifically, the construction of hand rail 82 is exactly the same as hand rail 80, clearly shown in Figure i.

From the foregoing description of the invention, its operation and utility should be immediately understood. When in use as a single unit such as shown in Figure l, the inclined rotatable ramp is positioned as stated to fit rather precisely within the opening made in the floor immediately above. The size of this opening will of course generally depend not only on the size of the ramp but upon the angle at which it is inclined to the horizontal. When so positioned and locked in the manner described, vehicles may be maneuvered up the sloping surface to floor 2 and parked in line with each other or as desired. As soon as a given area of the floor has been filled, the operator may release the locking device and rotate the ramp a sufiicient distance to bring near its upper end other unused space for parking purposes. The operation is thus continued until the entire area surrounding the opening 36 and that back to the sides of thebuilding has been completely filled with parked cars. i Removal of the latter from any one of the floors is accomplished in much the same manner, both operations being facilitated by the manner in which locking and unlocking is accomplished; it can be done from either end of the ramp or from whatever floor the operator is working on. Similarly, the ramp is simply manipulated by hand from the floor most convenient to the operator.

When a number of units are utilized as shown in Figure 2, it is seen that the superimposed ramps are used on alternate floors. Thus, ramps E and H are located immediately above each other with one floor,

floor 4, therebetween. Similarly, ramps K and L are located in the same vertical position but with one floor (floor 6) therebetween.

This alternate fashion of spacing a multiple group of these units enables a relatively large building structure to be completely available on each floor for parking purposes. Furthermore, if, for example, cars are to be removed from the top floor (or floor 8 as herein shown), the several ramps E, K, H and L can all be turned in directions which will facilitate turning of the vehicles, thus speeding their removal through several floors to the ground floor.

It is apparent that the unit comprising my invention, and the system of parking that is enabled thereby, is of the utmost simplicity. It furthermore saves considerable amounts of space which otherwise would be taken up by large, cumbersome elevating equipment or by ramp systems which are generally double in size since quite generally one stationary system is used for cars ascending to the top of the building and another series of stationary ramps is generally provided only for outgoing cars descending from upper floors. In the practice of the instant invention, this is not true; because of the rotatable nature of the several units, the same ramps, when positioned to facilitate the most expeditious handling of trafiic, can be used for both directions of travel.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it is obvious that many changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and only such limitations should be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle parking system for use in a building structure having at least one lower and one upper floor, means permitting transfer of vehicles from one floor to another floor thereof, said means comprising an inclined ramp having beveled upper and lower edges, said upper floor having a circular opening therein to accommodate the upper end of said ramp, said upper edge being of a contour to fit said opening, a support member having notches at the upper end thereof, said ramp being rotatably mounted in said support member, and means to lock said ramp in any predetermined peripheral position with respect to said opening, said locking means comprising an adjustable pin adapted to engage any one of said notches.

2. In a vehicle parking system for use in a building structure having at least one lower and one upper floor, means permitting transfer of vehicles from one floor to another floor thereof, said means comprising an inclined ramp having beveled upper and lower edges, a cylindrical member, said cylindrical member supporting said ramp, said upper floor having a circular opening therein to accommodate the upper end of said ramp, said upper edge having a contour to fit said opening, a support member, said ramp being rotatably mounted in said support member, antifriction bearings in said support member, said cylindrical member resting on said bearings, and means to lock said ramp in any predetermined peripheral position with respect to said opening.

3. in a vehicle parking system for use in a building structurehaving atleast one lower and one upper floor, means permitting transfer of vehicles from one floor to another floor thereof, said means comprising an inclined ramp having beveled upper and lower edges, a cylindrical member for support of said ramp, said upper floor having a circular opening therein to accommodate the upper end of said ramp, said upper edge being of a contour to fit said opening, a tubular member having notches at the upper end thereof to receive said cylindrical member, said tubular member being rotatably mounted in said support member, and means to lock said ramp in any predetermined peripheral position with respect to said opening, said locking means comprising an adjustable pin adapted to engage said notches, and means adjacent each end of said ramp to adjust said pin into and out of engagement with said notches.

4. In a vehicle parking system for use in a building structure having at least one lower and one upper floor, means permitting transfer of vehicles from one floor to another floor thereof, said means comprising an inclined, approximately rectangular ramp having beveled upper and lower edges and extending between said floors, said upper floor having a circular opening therein to accommodate the upper end of said ramp, said upper edge being of a contour to fit said opening, the sides of said ramp being spaced from said opening, a support member, said ramp being rotatably mounted in said support member, rail means in each side of said ramp extending from each side thereof to a position approximating the contour of said opening, and means to lock said ramp in any predetermined peripheral position with respect to said opening.

5. in a vehicle parking system for use in a building structure having at least one lower and one upper fioor, means permitting transfer of vehicles from one floor to another floor thereof, said means comprising an inclined, approximately rectangular ramp having beveled upper and lower edges and extending between said floors, said upper iloor having a circular opening therein to accommodate the upper end of said ramp, said upper edge being of a contour to fit said opening, the sides of said ramp being spaced from said opening, a support member having notches along the upper edge thereof, said ramp being rotatably mounted in said support member, rail means on each side of said ramp extending from each side thereof to a position approximating the contour of said opening, means to lock said ramp in any predetermined peripheral position with respect to said opening, said lock means comprising an adjustable pin on said ramp for engagement with said notches, and means operable from each end of said ramp to actuate said pin for locking and unlocking engagement with said notches.

6. In a vehicle parking system for use in a building structure having a plurality of floors, means for transferral of vehicles from one tioor to another, said means comprising a series of inclined ramps, said ramps being positioned on alternate floors and superimposed one above the other, each of said ramps extending between adjacent floors, said ramps being rotatably mounted to permit access thereto from any desired position, said upper floors having circular openings therein to accommodate the upper ends of said ramps, each of said ramps having an upper edge of a contour to fit said openings and a lower edge parallel to the horizontal, and means to lock said ramps in any predetermined position with respect to said openings including actuation means for said lock means located adjacent each of the ends of each ramp, whereby said ramps may be turned and locked in a position manually.

7. In a vehicle parking system for use in a building structure having a plurality of floors, means for transferral of vehicles from one floor to another, said means comprising a Series of inclined ramps, said ramps being positioned on alternate floors and superimposed one above the other, each of said ramps extending between adjacent doors, a cylindrical support member with notches in the upper end thereof for each of said ramps, said ramps being rotatably mounted in said support members to permit rotation and access thereto from any desired position, said upper floors having circular openings therein to accommodate the upper ends of said ramps, each of said ramps having an upper edge of a contour to fit 1 said openings and a lower edge parallel to the horizontal, and means to lock said ramps in any predetermined position with respect to said openings including actuation means for said lock means located adjacent each of the ends of each ramp, said lock means comprising adjustable pins slidably mounted on each of said ramps, said pins being adapted to engage one of said notches in each of said ramps.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,695,716 Graham Nov. 30, 1954 

